Post Traumatic Pain

After an injury, such as a fall or car accident, it’s normal to experience post-traumatic pain. Symptoms typically improve within a few days, but if they persist, it’s important to seek professional treatment. At Serenity Osteopathic, LLC, in Satellite Beach, Florida, board-certified osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal doctor Tiffany Noblitt, DO, regularly manages post-traumatic pain using holistic and regenerative treatments. To make an appointment today, call the office or click the online booking feature.

What is post-traumatic pain?

Post-traumatic pain refers to any musculoskeletal discomfort that occurs after a traumatic injury, such as a fall or car accident. This type of pain doesn’t always appear until hours or days after the injury itself. That’s because hormones, like adrenaline, can mask pain, especially in the heat of the moment.

Sometimes, post-traumatic pain improves on its own with at-home treatments, such as rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. However, if your symptoms persist for more than a few days or keep you from work and other activities, it’s important to identify the underlying cause. 

What are the symptoms of post-traumatic pain?

Post-traumatic pain affects everyone differently. Depending on the location and type of injury, you may experience:

• Headaches
• Chronic pain
• Low back pain
• Thoracic spine pain
• Hip pain

Sometimes, post-traumatic pain happens after surgery. That type of pain is called postsurgical pain.

How is post-traumatic pain diagnosed?

To diagnose post-traumatic pain, Dr. Noblitt reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including what type of injury precipitated your pain, what the pain feels like, and where it’s located. She also asks if bending or twisting worsens your pain or causes it to flare up. 

Sometimes, the source of post-traumatic pain is obvious, such as a broken bone or dislocated joint. However, for more subtle injuries, Dr. Noblitt completes a physical exam and orders diagnostic imaging and lab tests. Diagnostic imaging can help identify tissue injuries, such as strained muscles or herniated discs, while lab tests can rule out other conditions, like kidney disease.

After confirming what’s causing your pain, Dr. Noblitt makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How is post-traumatic pain treated?

Dr. Noblitt treats post-traumatic pain using a combination of holistic techniques, regenerative therapy, and traditional Western medicine. Depending on your symptoms and their cause, she may suggest:

• Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication
• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Physical therapy 
• Dry needling
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Ultrasound-guided injections, such as trigger point injections or epidural steroid injections
• Hands-on treatments, such as osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) or massage

Most cases of post-traumatic pain respond to a combination of these treatments. But if your symptoms continue or affect your mobility, you may benefit from surgery. If so, Dr. Noblitt can refer you to an orthopedic specialist and help coordinate your care.

If you’re suffering from post-traumatic pain, make an appointment at Serenity Osteopathic, LLC, today by phone or online.